Cannon for acrobatic performances.



PATENTED JULY 17, 1906.

A. J. GROSSE. CANNON. FOR AGROBATIG PERFORMANCES.v

VAPPLICLATION FILED NOV. 7, 1904.

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. No.' 826,019. PATENTE) JULY 17, 1906.

A. J. GROSSE. -CAN NON FOR. AGROBATIG BERFORMANGES.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 7, 1904.

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UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE.

ALICE JOSEPHINE GRSSE, OF PARIS, FRANCE. CANNON FOR ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES- Speccaton of Letters Patent.

ratented July 17, 1906.

Application filed November 7. 1904. Serial No. 231,813.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALICE J osPHrNE CRossE, a subject of the King of England, and a resident of Paris, France, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Cannon for Acrobatic Performances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an improved cannon for acrobatic performances, whereby the performer or sired, an inanimate object may be projected.

his apparatus is intended to serve as attraction in music-halls and the like.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 'which show one form of my improved cannon byway of example, and in which` Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section; Fig. 2, a side elevation, and Fig. 8 shows the trajectory of the person or object projected.-

My improved cannon consists of a preferably spherical chamber 1, constructed to withstand an internal pressure of, say, forty pounds per square centimeter and aving two oppositely-projecting tubular parts 2 3 and two trunnions 4, Fig. 2, by means of which latter the complete cannon may be carried on supports 5. The tubular'part 3 is formed with a flange 6, on which a properlybored cylinder 7 is bolted, in which a piston 8 is provided for the purpose of operating a rod 9, which carries at its end exterior of the cylinder 7 a plate 10, intended to receive the each end, which projectile or equivalent which' is to be projected.

In the tubular part 2 and in a cylindrical bush or socket 11, fixed to the rear end of the cylinder 7, I provide an equilibrium-valve 12 13, having a connecting spindle 14. The valve 12 18 is slidable in the parts 2 and 11, and to insure perfect guiding I form or provide the spindle 14 with a prolongation 15 at prolongations pass through suitable guides. This valve is adapted to be operated by a lever 16, so that compressed gas or air or the like may be admitted, practically instantly, behind the piston 6.

17 and 18 are covers through which. the rods 15 and 9 pass.

A casing 19 having a plain and smooth surface incloses all the parts, and a stand 2O is pivotally connected to an angle-iron or other frame 21 in such a manner that the angle of inclination of the cannon may be varied and regulated at will.

The cannon may be operated by means of acrobat or, if decompressed air, steam, or by explosive mixtures. It may be adapted to be put into action-fi. e., fired off-by electrically or springoperated means, and the construction of its parts may be modilled according to local or particular circumstances and necessities.

The operation of my improved cannon is as follows: The cannon having been adjusted to the required angle of inclination and the projectile placed on the plate 10, the propelling force is admitted through an aperture 22 by means of a flexible or other tube 28 into the chamber 1, and by then operating the lever 16 it will be admitted to act on the piston 8, which will be propelled forward, causing the projectile or equivalent to be projected out of the cannon. The initial pressure of the propelling force may, for example, be forty pounds per square centimeter and the final pressure, say, fourteen pounds. With such pressures, the cannon being inclined at an angle of forty-live, a projectile weighing one hundred and twenty pounds will attain a muzzle velocity of thirty-three meters per second and Will describe a trajectory approximately as shown in Fig. 3. The maximum and minimum trajectories will result by inclining the cannon at forty-llve-and thirty, respectively, starting in each case with an initial pressure of twenty-four pounds. These should not be exceeded in ordinary circumstances-for example, if used on astage. Almost any desired trajectory may be attained by regulating, first,`the initial pressure, and, secondly, the angle of inclination of the cannon.

The propelling force instead of being introduced into the cannon may be placed under it on the ground or floor and may be used indirectly by means of springs connected with a trigger. I

The, for example, person projected may be caught in various ways-for example, by a trapeze, or by a second gymnast, or in a net, or, again, may drop on a mattress.

Having now fully described my said invention, what I'claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

1. An amusement device consisting of a cannon for projecting projectiles of any kind comprising a chamber to contain a gas or other motive fluid under pressure, a pistonchamber, a piston slidable in the pistonchamber, a casing to receive a projectile, a projectile-engaging member, a rod connecting said member'and the piston, and means for admitting the motive fluid to the piston to IOO IIO

actuate the same, substantially as shown and described.

2. An amusement device consisting of a cannon for projecting projectiles of any kind comprising a chamber for gas or other motive fluid under pressure, a piston-chamber, a piston slidable in the piston-chamber, a casing to receive a projectile, a projectile-engaging member, a rod connecting said member and the piston, means vfor adjusting the inclination of the piston-chamber and casing, and means for admitting the motive Afluid to the piston to actuate the same, substantially as described.

3. An amusement device consisting of a cannon for projecting projectiles of any kind comprising a chamber to contain a gas or other motive fluid under pressure, a pistonchamber, a' piston slidable in the pistonchamber, a casing to receive a projectile7 a projectile-engaging member, a rod connecting said member and the piston, a balanced valve and means for operating the same to admit the motive fluid to the piston to actuate the same, substantially as set forth.

In testimony vwhereof I have hereunto s et my hand in presence of two Witnesses.

ALCE JOSPHNE GROSSE.

/Vitnesses ADoLPnE STURM, JOHN BAKER. 

